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Through text and images, this volume presents a comprehensive history of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, one of the major research and production facilities in in the United States’ nuclear complex.
This history explores the events leading up to the decision to create the plant, the developments in nuclear science and world politics, the Manhattan Project, the Cold War, and the formation of the Atomic Energy Commission. Considered one of the major engineering and construction feats of its day, the creation of the Savannah River Site is an epic story set in the Central Savannah River Area. The transformations that occurred are shown through 1950s photography, historic maps, and documents, all which present a clear before and after picture of the era. The roles of Du Pont and local politicians are chronicled, along with the sacrifices made by those who were asked to leave their homes for reasons of national interest.
The heart of the book is a historical treatment of Savannah River Site’s operations during its peak period of production, 1953 to 1979. Developments in reactor technology and chemical separations, heavy-water production, waste management, and the research goals of the Savannah River Laboratory are described in layman’s terms and are amply illustrated. This history profiles the individuals who brought the plant to maturity and explores the two themes that define the nuclear weapons workplace, safety and security.
The environmental section opens with descriptions of landmark studies completed during the 1950s that document the site’s natural history and the enduring partnerships with the US Forest Service, University of Georgia, and the Academy of Natural Sciences. The discussion includes the national rise of environmentalism in the 1970s and its impact on the site’s operation as well as the public perception regarding the site.
The end of the Cold War and the evolution of the plant into the Savannah River Site are the focus of the final section. Operated by the Westinghouse Savannah River Company and its partners, the mission of SRS broadened from research and production to include environmental restoration and cleanup.
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Reed Swanson Gaither Joseph Henry
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About the Book
Savannah River Site at 50 was written and produced as a component of the Savannah River Site History Project, a cooperative agreement between the Department of Energy and New South Associates, a professional cultural resources consulting firm based in Stone Mountain, Georgia. This project documented the site’s architectural legacy, recovered important equipment and objects associated with the Savannah River Site’s operations, and along with researching and developing this history, produced other brochures and studies.
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About the Authors
MARY BETH REED served as the Project Director and lead author. A public historian with New South Associates, Ms. Reed has researched Cold War related Department of Defense sites throughout the US as well as in the Republic of Panama. She developed the local historical themes, the construction era, heavy-water production, and environmental issues.
Historian MARK SWANSON, also with New South Associates, has written extensively on Cold War topics and the history of technology. The book sections on reactor technology, the development of the AEC, the environment, and the Westinghouse decade reflect his emphasis.
Historian STEVE GAITHER of Kestrel Vector has a strong background in Cold War studies. The research on Du Pont, separations processes, and waste management were developed by Mr. Gaither.
Project Manager, DR. J. W. JOSEPH is a native of Aiken and the son of Savannah River Site staff member, Walt Joseph. He has been involved with numerous federal historic preservation projects, and contributed to various sections of the book.
WILLIAM HENRY, with FEMA and New South Associates, has considerable experience in the documentation of historic structures and lent his expertise to the building discussions.
TRACEY FEDOR, graphic artist at New South Associates, designed Savannah River Site at 50. She also designed the DOE anniversary brochure, Patriots of the Atomic Age.
BARBARA SMITH STRACK, of Aiken, edited this volume
and compiled the indices.
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